USF-FSU: Seminoles Rebound with 55-35 Victory Over Bulls

TAMPA –After a quick start the South Florida offense stalled and Florida State pulled away for 55-35 win at Raymond James Stadium rebounding from last week’s loss at Louisville.

The visitors led for the first time in the game with 6:11 to play in the opening quarter on Freddie Stevenson’s one-yard run and never trailed. The senior fullback from Bartow, Fla. would add another one-yard plunge at the end of the first half.

QB Deondre Francois’ 13-yard pass to Jesus Wilson increased FSU’s lead to 28-14 heading into the second quarter. Sophomore running back Jacques Patrick also rushed for a score while running for 124 yards on 20 carries,

Francois was 11 of 19 for 169 yards. He also rushed for a 35-yard score to go with his 75 yards on 10 rushes.

Marlon Mack crossed the goal line for the third time this season after the Bulls went 72 yards with 11:49 to play in the first quarter. The Seminoles Dalvin Cook answered with a 13-yard carry for a score.

The Bulls and ‘Noles traded TDs on the first play of each of their opening possessions. USF QB Quinton Flowers and wide receiver Rodney Adams hooked up for a score for the third time this season. This one for 84 yards.

Flowers finished 5 of 14 passing for 160 yards. He also ran for 159 yards on 18 carries.

Cook showed his speed on his first TD of the game, a 75-yard run to knot the game following Mack’s score. He had a career day last season against USF last season and was soon track for another great performance with 28 carries for 267 yards and two scores.

USF’s D’Ernest Johnson scored three times on runs of 34, four and two yards giving him six TDs in four games this season. Johnson had 82 yards on eight carries.

FSU’s Ricky Aguayo connected on field goals of 25 and 35 yards.

Next weekend the Bulls (3-1) travel to Cincinnati for a key AAC matchup. FSU (3-1) entertains ACC rival North Carolina.

GAME NOTE: The kick by FSU’s Ricky Aguayo following Stevenson’s TD set a new NCAA record for consecutive extra points with 263….the Seminoles first punt came at the 13:15 mark of second quarter…FSU’s Tavarus McFadden recorded his third interception of the season…teammate Nate Andrews picked off his first.